WASHINGTON, 30 November 2021, (TON): Secretary Antony J. Blinken said “our cooperation with allies and partners provides us with more than a small bit of optimism and faith.  It shows us the way forward, together, rooted in our shared values, and committed not only to rebuilding our alliances and partnerships, but to building them back better.  If we do this, there are no challenges we cannot and will not overcome.”

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministerial in Riga, Latvia, November 30-December 1, 2021. 

During his visit, the Secretary will meet with Latvian President Egils Levits, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, and Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics to discuss the U.S.-Latvian shared commitment to NATO and Transatlantic security and to increasing coordination on global challenges.

The United States and Latvia are strategic allies and partners, with a relationship built on mutual commitments to democracy, freedom, rule of law, security, and prosperity.

Having established diplomatic relations in 1922, the United States never recognized the Soviet Union’s forcible occupation of Latvia in 1940.  Following the restoration of Latvia’s independence in 1991, the United States worked closely with the people of Latvia as they rebuilt their institutions to ensure their personal liberty, economic freedom, and sovereignty. 

The United States and Latvia will commemorate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022.

As a member of NATO and the European Union (EU), Latvia strongly supports the Transatlantic Alliance and draws from its reform experience during the EU accession process to help others achieve security, stability, and greater prosperity.